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Posts for: January, 2017

Psoriasis is a common, chronic and often frustrating skin condition that causes skin scaling, inflammation, redness and irritation. The exact cause is unknown, but psoriasis is thought to be caused by an overactive immune system, which causes the skin to form inflamed, scaly lesions. These patches of thick, red skin may be itchy and painful. They are often found on the elbows and knees, but can also form on the scalp, lower back, face and nails.

Symptoms of psoriasis are different for every person and can vary in intensity over time. Some people may even go months or years without symptoms before flare-ups return. Symptoms of psoriasis can manifest in many ways, including:

Rough, scaly skin

Cracks on fingertips

Simple tasks are painful, such as tying your shoe

Brown, uneven nails

Flaky skin

Joint pain or aching

Severe itching

The onset of psoriasis can occur at any age, although it most often occurs in adults. The disease is non-contagious and is thought to be genetic. Because psoriasis is a persistent, systemic autoimmune disease, people with psoriasis will have it for a lifetime. Most people who suffer from psoriasis can still lead healthy, active lives with proper management and care.

Coping with Psoriasis: Your Dermatologist can Help

Currently, there is no cure for psoriasis, but with the help of your dermatologist, you can learn how to cope with the condition, reduce psoriasis symptoms and keep outbreaks under control for an improved quality of life. Treatment depends on how serious the psoriasis is, the type of psoriasis and how the patient responds to certain treatments.

If frown lines and crow's feet have you looking and feeling older, it's time you considered botox. Not all neurotoxins are bad, at least not in this case. Some toxins, such as the type found in botox, are used by our Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, dermatologist Dr. Sanjiva Goyal at Coastal Dermatology & MedSpa to help improve your appearance.

Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein made by Clostridium botulinum. The neurotoxin, however, is put to good use by our Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, dermatologist at Coastal Dermatology & MedSpa.

Botulinum toxin treats a wide variety of problems and is used to help many individuals regain a rejuvenated look. So there’s nothing you should worry about, especially since the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves of it being used to remove frown lines and crow's feet for men and women between the ages of 18 to 65.

Your doctor injects small doses into the muscles of your face so that those unwanted crow’s feet and wrinkles will finally go away and give you that beautiful, smooth skin you once had. The Botulinum toxin paralyzes the facial muscles by blocking the nerve signals commanding them to contract.

Botox Procedure at Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

This procedure is short, taking approximately 10 minutes, and can last from three to six months, depending on the person. You should refrain from touching and rubbing the treated area for about two to three hours, but, don’t you worry, it only takes three to four days (about 72 hours) for results to appear.

For more information on our Botox procedure or to schedule and appointment, please call us at either of our two offices: Jacksonville, FL (904) 727-9123 or Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (904) 567-1050. It’s time you regained that youthful glow once more.

Although moles are usually harmless, in some cases they can become cancerous, causing melanoma. For this reason, it is important to regularly examine your skin for any moles that change in size, color, shape, sensation or that bleed. Suspicious or abnormal moles or lesions should always be examined by your dermatologist.

What to Look For

Remember the ABCDE's of melanoma when examining your moles. If your mole fits any of these criteria, you should visit your dermatologist as soon as possible.

Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other half.

Border. The border or edges of the mole are poorly defined or irregular.

Color. The color of the mole is not the same throughout or has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white or red.

Diameter. The diameter of a mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil.

Evolution. The mole is changing in size, shape or color.

Moles can appear anywhere on the skin, including the scalp, between the fingers and toes, on the soles of the feet and even under the nails. The best way to detect skin cancer in its earliest, most curable stage is by checking your skin regularly and visiting our office for a full-body skin cancer screening. Use this guide to perform a self-exam.

Use a mirror to examine your entire body, starting at your head and working your way to the toes. Also be sure to check difficult to see areas, including between your fingers and toes, the groin, the soles of your feet and the backs of your knees.

Pay special attention to the areas exposed to the most sun.

Don't forget to check your scalp and neck for moles. Use a handheld mirror or ask a family member to help you.

Develop a mental note or keep a record of all the moles on your body and what they look like. If they do change in any way (color, shape, size, border, etc.), or if any new moles look suspicious, visit your dermatologist right away.

Skin cancer has a high cure rate if detected and treated early. The most common warning sign is a visible change on the skin, a new growth, or a change in an existing mole. Depending on the size and location of the mole, dermatologists may use different methods of mole removal. A body check performed by a dermatologist can help determine whether the moles appearing on the body are pre-cancerous or harmless.